The Devil's Bargain

I like Edith Layton's writing style, especially when she is probing into the dark thoughts of hero Sir Alasdair St. Erth . His vengeance is purposeful and all consuming. Even the dark thoughts of his victims are well written. Right from the beginning of this novel, the reader knows Alasdair. He is dangerous and distrustful of others.

Kate Corbet, on the other hand is open and honest. She has a bit of a temper and is very loyal to her family. She is visiting London and fully expects to go back to her farm with no adventures. She and Alasdair meet when she saves him from a scheming marriage minded female.

He is grateful but not interested in her until he discovers she is related to the family that caused him no end of grief. He decides to use her to get closer to Kate's cousins. Kate is in no way close to them but Alasdair figures that just the thought of him courting Kate would be enough for her cousins to present themselves into society and there he will ruin them. Now they are hidden behind their estate.

Alasdair has a terrible reputation and convinces Kate that being seen with him will enhance his stature amongst the ton. She agrees to be escorted about London. She has absolutely no clue about his revenge.

This novel had really good characters but they never seemed to spend much time together. There was much inner dialogue they had about each other but little conversation. When they were together initially there was some disassembling on both of their parts. Kate was angry and suspicious of Alasdair's motives and he was dishonest with Kate.

However, the last few chapters are sweet. Finally these two talk to each other and I mean really talk but it takes a major crisis for them to spend anytime relating their feelings. When they do share their dreams and their past hurts, Kate becomes a heroine that is noble, stalwart and fiercely protective. The reader sees these qualities in her earlier in the novel especially with her family but when they are directed at Alasdair, he undergoes a radical transformation. This book would rate four stars if the characters had more conversation and less time alone with their thoughts.

This book was so good... unitl the end. In the end, the book got a little too mushy and sweet. I love it when love wins all, hence the point of reading roman novels, but it so could have ended better! All-in-all, this book was really good. I just wish it had a better ending.

This book was published in 2002 and the actual plot is presented (sometimes too thoroughly) in other reviews here. It contains a hero, Sir Alasdair St. Erth, who has focused over half of his life on managing to aquire proofs which will utterly ruin the couple who caused his father's death. This man has dedicated his life to revenge. He will not allow anything to take over that demon's place in his soul.

Kate Corbet is the country cousin come to town. She was a wonderful heroine for me. She was 23 and had no expectations of meeting any man in London who would want to marry her. She was there for the fun of seeing the sights and broadening her horizons. She is smart, levelheaded, kind, witty, and sure of her own value as a person (even if she does not put much credence in being a beauty except in the eyes of her family).

I loved the interaction between Alasdair and Kate. She was not afraid of him, she also did not believe he could be nearly as evil as members of society wanted him to seem. Ms. Layton wrote a book which needs to be read and savored for its depth of character. Yes, I do think it was a little too long, but on thinking back over it, I cannot come up with any specific parts which I think should have been left out. Yes, Alasdair's need for revenge was an overwhelming obsession. But, after all, is that not what the story is ultimately about? Ms Layton made Kate the perfect foil for this hero. She is innocent, he is worldly wise and weary. She is happy, he is dark and brooding. She is an optimist, he is very much a pessimist. They meet, like each other as friends, then grow to love one another. What more can we ask from an author?

I would highly recommend this book. Slow down, enjoy it.

From the reviews amde for this book, i had expected alot more from the book. I am a book a day person and usually when i am engrosed in a book, i won't put it down. However, for this book i didn't feel a great urge to read it continuously. Hence for me the book was missing an important element. Maybe it is because i don't enjoy revengeful plots, but even so in my opinion something is missing in this book/

Favorite scene with Kate-
Her abduction.

Favorite scene with Alasdair-
Rescuing Kate from her abduction.

Together-
Their wedding night. Alasdair telling Kate the truth, and coming together in sweet love.

What did you like about Kate-
Her strength, even when abducted. Her love for her cousin Sybil and Alasdair. Standing by him, even when his need for revenge was great.

What didn't you like about Kate-
Nothing.

What did you like about Alasdair-
He's strong and powerful. His love for Kate. Doing what's right at the end re: his revenge, although I did think he let them off a little too easily.

What didn't you like about Alasdair-
Although I thought Alasdair was too obsessed with revenge, I finally understood once the reason was revealed. There were times when I thought him a little too dramatic.

If I had to cast Kate, I'd cast Reese Witherspoon.